1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Lower Haystack Hastings Reservation (19 May) 740. Moved out a ways from the forest. Still watching the nest area. 835 755. Pub here quickly displaced by ①♀-wn-61/m #170. 813. ②♂ m, or #307 and ③♂ Yel-Bilk/Red- #390. 840. ④♂ db-10/m #309. 935. Moved back over to the nest. 945, Leaving. This isn't working out. This group could be a tough problem, but it's got to be worked out. In any case, both ①♂236 and ②♀391 appear to be gone. 21 May 1445. Bird flushed from the hole, which still has 4 eggs. 900. Watching nest. ③ in hole. 938. The bird inside (a ③) replaced by ①♂OrLW#307. 1011. ② replaced by ②♀E-w-8/m #170. 1026. ③♂DBRW#309 came to the hole, looked in, and left. 1036. ③ in hole now. ③307 came again but left without going inside. 1100. Both ①♀170 and ②♂307 at the hole; ③307 going in while ② leaves, 1102. ③309 at hole; leaves, 1105. ①♀170 at hole again; leaves. 1125. Leaving. Looks disturbingly as though the nucleus of this group is indeed composed of ①♀170 and ②♂307, 309! No sign of ③♂236 or of an unbanded ②. PURGE: ③♂236. Last seen 25 Oct. 1977. Gone by 13 February. → Disappeared about 19 December 1977 ± 1 month. ②♀391. Last seen 24 Feb. 1978. Gone by 26 April. → Disappeared about 26 March ± 1 month. 25 June. No-seen here 24June see notes. 30 May Watched the nest from 1115 to 1345 (see back for compilation). Only 4 birds seem were ①♀170, ②♂307, ③♂309, ④♂390. Hmm. One for long contemplation. Went up to the nest after watching